Practical Tips Before Your Trip to Kyrgyzstan

• Check your visa rules and passport validity (ideally 6+ months).
• For border zones (Kel-Suu, Karkyra, Torugart, Irkeshtam), arrange border permits in advance. If you can’t do it yourself — contact us, we’ll help.
• Keep scans/photos of documents on your phone and in the cloud; store originals separately from copies.

• Buy travel medical insurance that covers mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation.
• Pack a first-aid kit (personal meds for the whole trip + basics).
• At 3,000+ m, go slow, hydrate, and allow a day for acclimatization.

• Currency — Som (KGS). Exchange USD/EUR/RUB/CNY at city exchangers/banks.
• Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; UnionPay/Mir/AmEx — not everywhere.
• Carry cash for markets, gas stations and remote areas; confirm rate/fees.

• Local operators: MegaCom, Beeline, O! — buy a SIM on arrival (passport).
• eSIM is convenient but usually more expensive and may not include a local number.
• Download offline maps (Google Maps, MAPS.ME/Organic Maps, 2GIS). Yurt camps may have unstable signal; some offer satellite internet.

• About 80% of itineraries start in Bishkek, 20% in Osh.
• For remote spots (Son-Kul, Kel-Suu, Sary-Chelek) plan 2–3 days including travel.
• Keep 1 buffer day for weather/roads.
• Taxi apps: Yandex Go, inDrive. Car rental: license, deposit, 4×4 for mountains, spare fuel; in winter — winter tires/chains.

• Layering: base/fleece + wind/rain coat; cap and SPF at altitudes.
• Hiking boots, poles, headlamp, power bank, thermos.
• Nights are cool even in summer — bring a warm hat/gloves.

• Emergency: 112 (unified), 102 (police), 103 (ambulance).
• Don’t show large amounts of cash; watch belongings in markets.
• In homes/yurts remove shoes; accept tea/snacks when offered. In mosques dress modestly; women may use a scarf.
• Don’t photograph border posts/military sites; ask permission for people’s portraits.

• Follow “Leave No Trace” rule: pack out trash; fires only where allowed.
• Don’t feed wildlife; use a filter/reusable bottle to cut plastic.

• Sockets Type C/F, 220 V. Bring an adapter and spare cables.
• Batteries drain faster in cold — carry a power bank and spare camera/drone batteries.

Passport + insurance • offline maps • cash + cards • booking confirmations & contacts • warm/rain layers • first-aid & personal meds • power bank • document copies • if needed — border permits.